Easy reading with a good shelf life
THIS HARDBACK edition with a dust cover means that the author and publishers expect the book to have a long, long life in the reader’s home, and for good reason. Graham Lawton has an easy style of writing that makes the most complex ideas easy to grasp.
In short, the book covers the universe, our planet, life, civilisation, knowledge and inventions. As humans we are very interested in our own development. How did it happen that 15 000 years ago our ancestors were nomadic hunter-gatherers; now we live in houses, shop in supermarkets and travel around in machines”?
Looking at the very first question, “How did it all begin” the reader begins to understand that there are more and more questions. “The universe is big. Very big. And yet, if our theory of its origin is correct, then the universe was once small.” Lawton’s descriptions make for compelling reading. So much so that it becomes tempting to read the book in one sitting. Yet there are so many questions that it is best to read the book in sections, and, if you have an intelligent young family who love discussing the origins of things, you have the starting point for very many discussions.
For the younger reader there is the revolting stuff about snot, bogeys and goop in your eyes, for everyone there is the tale of how toilet paper was invented and how long it took for it to become fashionable. If you are interested in how your belly button fills with fluff, read on.
Lawton looks at the development of humans, their singing, speaking and writing The book is not exhaustive. At about 300 pages it makes for manageable reading, and one hopes that Lawton will bring out a sequel.